The Department of Canadian Heritage has announced that the Canadian Opera Company will receive $644,372 in crucial funding provided through the Canada Cultural Spaces Fund toward the Digital Infrastructure Enhancements Project at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts.

The infrastructure plan, developed in partnership with The National Ballet of Canada, aims to implement a range of digital upgrades to the opera house as well as significantly boosting both organizations’ recording and broadcast capabilities. It will also help improve both community and global access to Canadian artistry and other community programming showcased in the space.

In a statement, COC Deputy General Director Christie Darville said, “Today’s announcement is wonderful news for not only the Canadian Opera Company, but for so many of our artistic peers and community partners. In carving a path forward through the fluidity of our current reality, investments like this allow us to better stage and safely share more original content, while also enabling us to share digital resources with others.

“The COC wants our home base at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts to showcase not only in the best in Canadian opera but also to serve as an accessible platform for new and diverse voices; this digital enhancement project is helping to make that goal a reality.”